[Aufc]

printer, on 29 July 2010 - 11:48, said:

When someone comes away with a statement like this, you really can't take anything they say seriously.

Ok...he has found his level.

[++Ammo - Airdrie++]

prunty was only made to look shite latterly with us as Kenny Black thought it would be a good idea to play him at Right Midfield .

If you have a decent midfield/wide men supplying prunty in the 18 yard box, in this league he'll do the business.

[Waspie]

Not sure if our squad is indeed as "highly rated" as the OP suggests but certainly we have reasons to be optimistic. We lost out on goal difference last season and have retained pretty much all the key men, replaced well (on paper at least) those who we lost and addressed the obvious weaknesses in the squad. Proven Division 2 players throughout the squad. We arent going to run away with the league but we look well placed to have another decent crack at it and see where it takes us.

[Parkhouse]

I'll try to stick to the ex Ayr players in the Alloa squad, as I feel more qualified to comment on their ability.

Scott Walker: Scott Walker is not a terrible player at this level, however he is not particularly great either. No question he is a poorer player than his former partner in the Ayr defence, Martyn Campbell. I would question whether he would be so well thought of if he played right of centre? What I mean by that is that there are fewer naturally left sided centre backs, so in comparrison to a player playing on his weaker side he may look decent. There are better centre backs in this division however.

Billy Gibson: if he stays fit, and it's a big if, he'll stroll through this division. Easily of first division quality ability wise.

Mick Dunlop: An honest pro, and you know what your getting with Mick, 100% effort and commitment. An above average left back at this level, but this is his level. No worldbeater.

Bryan Prunty: He had half a season at Ayr when he scored goals. If you look at who those goals came against however, I'm sure that a high percentage were against lower half teams. He certainly should not have been 2nd division player of the year that season. He wasn't even Ayr's best player. Prunty a strange one though. He isn't slow, puts in reasonable effort and has an okay touch. There's just something missing though that I can't quite put my finger on. Those who say he's better than Roberts are kidding themselves. Roberts footballing brain is years ahead of Prunty. The question is does the old man still have the legs?

David Gormley: Actually played his best game for us in a 3-2 defeat at Alloa. Scored an absolute screamer that day if I remember correctly. Full of effort, strong, but generally lacking in touch and awareness. Can be a very frustrating player to watch

All in all, I'm sure Alloa will be challenging at the right end of the table. Would I swap squads? Nope, though i would hope we've still got at least three to come in.

[bsd]

Just read on the Duffle that Dougie Wilson's signed a years contract. Really pleased for him that he's been able to come back from the 2 serious injuries.

[AyrExile]

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

I'm a bit bemused by how highly rated Alloa's squad seems to be. I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but being familiar with a lot of their players I'm very surprised at the number of people who think they have the strongest squad.

I know Robertson's quite a good keeper, but nothing outrageous for this level. Walker and Dunlop both played for Ayr and, frankly, I thought Walker was pretty rubbish. Dunlop's been around this level for a while and never really been considered to be a particularly good player. I notice McClune has been right-back for the Wasps, for a number of years, but don't recall him being that special. Gibson is a class act, right enough.

Obviously in midfield Smith is well-known, and I can't help but think that he is largely responsible for the optimism surrounding Alloa. I understand that Wilson is highly rated, but I don't think I've ever seen him fit to play. I know Grant has played for a while, and he seemed an okay player but I don't really recognise the rest of the midfield.

Up front is particularly interesting. Is this considered strong? Obviously Prunty and Gormley are wll known to me. I did say earlier that I don't reckon either would get into our team now. Prunty was brilliant at the start of the season 2008-2009, but fell away badly. He might yet score plenty of goals this season, but struggles with consistency. Gormley tried hard, and did score some goals. Perhaps he still has time on his side, but he didn't really do anything while on loan for Albion Rovers in Division 3. Some of the Ayr support really didn't like him. Noble had a good season for Airdrie, a few years back, but has hardly scored the number of goals you might expect to see in a title winning team.

I'm curious to know where supporters feel the real strengths in Alloa are and if anyone, like me, thinks they peaked last season in a poor league, and will fall back into the pack this year.

With little money in the game now i think the role of the manager is going to become even more important. Alloa have a lot of good players and also have a manager that can get the players playing well for him. Unfortunately we can't say the same about Ayr at the moment. Much as i didn't really rate prunty i would rather have him in my team than rodgers. Billy gibson is also a great signing at this level.

[printer]

Parkhouse, on 29 July 2010 - 19:36, said:

I'll try to stick to the ex Ayr players in the Alloa squad, as I feel more qualified to comment on their ability.

Scott Walker: Scott Walker is not a terrible player at this level, however he is not particularly great either. No question he is a poorer player than his former partner in the Ayr defence, Martyn Campbell. I would question whether he would be so well thought of if he played right of centre? What I mean by that is that there are fewer naturally left sided centre backs, so in comparrison to a player playing on his weaker side he may look decent. There are better centre backs in this division however.

There weren't last year.

Why is it people don't see how good a player Walker is? Do they see the lack of pace or the fact he isn't great on the ball? This is missing the point, he is VERY effective at this level. His consistency, leadership and influence on those around him is first class.

Parkhouse, on 29 July 2010 - 19:36, said:

Mick Dunlop: An honest pro, and you know what your getting with Mick, 100% effort and commitment. An above average left back at this level, but this is his level. No worldbeater.

Oh no! What was Maitland thinking of??!!! Why didn't he go for Ashley Cole or Philip Lahm??!!!

[Parkhouse]

Get a grip! I believe there are better centre halfs than Walker, at this level. Your own Billy Gibson for example is far better. I base this on having seen both players for one full season at Ayr, Gibson playing in a higher division. I also believe Martyn Campbell to be better, again through having watched both at Ayr. Only my opinion mind.

As for the smart arsed comment re Dunlop, I think we both know you understand the point I was making? At least I hope you do!

This post has been edited by Parkhouse: 30 July 2010 - 10:45

[printer]

Parkhouse, on 30 July 2010 - 10:43, said:

I believe there are better centre halfs than Walker, at this level. Your own Billy Gibson for example is far better. I base this on having seen both players for one full season at Ayr, Gibson playing in a higher division. I also believe Martyn Campbell to be better, again through having watched both at Ayr. Only my opinion mind.

Like I said, Walker was IMO the best (most consistent and most influential) centre back in the second division last year. Campbell may well be better. Your basic point is that Walker is no more than OK at this level. My opinion, and I know Allan Maitland's, is that he is very good and a huge influence on the rest of the defence and team. I don't think he would swap him for anyone else signed for the division.

Parkhouse, on 30 July 2010 - 10:43, said:

As for the smart arsed comment re Dunlop, I think we both know you understand the point I was making? At least I hope you do!

To be honest I'm not sure exactly what you were trying to say about Mick Dunlop with your comment. Perhaps you can elucidate?

[Fudge]

Some Ayr fans just can't accept that most others believe there are at least 3 teams better than them. They've got Andy Rodgers you know! Take them seriously!

[number one wasp]

Jeez some Ayr fans are paranoid on here, We know Walker isn't great on the ball but hes an old fashioned centre-half who gets rid of the ball and hes good at sorting out the players aroud him, Re Dunlop also a player that likes to talk to players around him and has filled in our problem left back area Ayr fan's points are not even worth arguing about Mick an Scott are two fantastic players and better than what we had in recent seasons.

On the subject of us winning the league can anyone show us a post from Alloa fans saying we will win it? Other teams fans have tipped us and Allos fans have said we have a chance based on the fact we lost on goal difference last year and our squad is stronger this year, But the league is also stronger and it will be harder i would take a playoff spot right now if we got promotion from it.

[Pesadilla]

Diamonds are Forever, on 29 July 2010 - 12:04, said:

I think McDonald will do well at Alloa. Airdrie fans have a bit of a hatred of him but he does have good technical ability, and I think in the right team with the right role he will be very good. He needs a few thugs around about him to give him time and space on the ball, he never had that at Airdrie. Also, we only saw him play under one manager in all his time at Airdrie, it's quite possible that the reason he seemed so negative was because his manager was negative and tactically inept. Will be interesting to see how he does with a better manager.

Since you once described him as "our best player" I have a degree of understanding why you continue to peddle this nonsense.
MacDonald played under Sandy as well, did he not? So that'll be two managers, same MacDonald.
He doesn't have good technical ability. He failed time, after time, after time (ad infinium) to do anything creative with the ball whatsoever. His entire Airdrie career was built on passing the ball backwards or sideways, with the occasional Hollywood pass which got some people, pointing no elbows, w@nking into their cornflakes over his percieved ability.
I've never seen him time a tackle correctly, meaning he's due more than one red card per season.
I've seen him shirk plenty tackles, including every 50-50 ball he's ever been involved in.
If you use him as a holding midfielder, you'll be disappointed as a three year old could push him off the ball.
If you use him as a creative midfielder you'll be disappointed as he has no skill.
Either way, a dire signing.

This post has been edited by Pesadilla: 30 July 2010 - 14:40

[Diamonds are Forever]

Pesadilla, on 30 July 2010 - 14:39, said:

Since you once described him as "our best player" I have a degree of understanding why you continue to peddle this nonsense.
MacDonald played under Sandy as well, did he not? So that'll be two managers, same MacDonald.
He doesn't have good technical ability. He failed time, after time, after time (ad infinium) to do anything creative with the ball whatsoever. His entire Airdrie career was built on passing the ball backwards or sideways, with the occasional Hollywood pass which got some people, pointing no elbows, w@nking into their cornflakes over his percieved ability.
I've never seen him time a tackle correctly, meaning he's due more than one red card per season.
I've seen him shirk plenty tackles, including every 50-50 ball he's ever been involved in.
If you use him as a holding midfielder, you'll be disappointed as a three year old could push him off the ball.
If you use him as a creative midfielder you'll be disappointed as he has no skill.
Either way, a dire signing.

I think he played under SS for a few games, certainly not very many though. He does have a good technical ability, or at least good relative to the ability of his team mates. I never said he could tackle or that he was commited, indeed I said you need to give him a role where he has to do neither. Black should either have created that role for him or not played him at all. Instead he did neither meaning that most of the time he was a waste of space. I'm not saying he'll be brilliant at Alloa, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's a success.

[Gordon EF]

printer, on 30 July 2010 - 08:09, said:

Why is it people don't see how good a player Walker is? Do they see the lack of pace or the fact he isn't great on the ball? This is missing the point, he is VERY effective at this level. His consistency, leadership and influence on those around him is first class.

I wasn't actually overly impressed with Walker when I saw him for Ayr a couple of seasons ago. From what I remember, he tried to play more football than he was capable of and was a bit if a liability. However, he was an absolute rock with Alloa when I saw him last season. A big part of the reason why we failed to score a single goal against them in 4 matches. Maybe Maitland got a bit more out of him, maybe he thrived at being the 'experienced' head at the back or maybe he just played a bit better than he had been recently.

Certainly, against East Fife, Alloa looked to have the strongest defence in the league last year, although David Crawford had a couple of unbelievable games against us and I'm sure they'll miss him.

[Parkhouse]

I stated Walker was neither terrible, or great. A decent enough player at this level, but nothing more. If anyone disagrees with that view, fair enough, but I'll stick with my assesment.

Why would any Alloa fan be upset with my view on Mick Dunlop? I described him as above average at this level. If he's better than that he must have improved beyond all recognition from the times I've seen him play.

I don't think I mentioned Ayr's title chances on this thread? The topic was about Alloa, and Alloa players. I tried to stick to it.

This post has been edited by Parkhouse: 30 July 2010 - 16:06

[printer]

Parkhouse, on 30 July 2010 - 16:05, said:

I stated Walker was neither terrible, or great. A decent enough player at this level, but nothing more. If anyone disagrees with that view, fair enough, but I'll stick with my assesment.

Why would any Alloa fan be upset with my view on Mick Dunlop? I described him as above average at this level. If he's better than that he must have improved beyond all recognition from the times I've seen him play.

I don't think I mentioned Ayr's title chances on this thread? The topic was about Alloa, and Alloa players. I tried to stick to it.

I don't think anyone's upset. I'm certainly not.

[Pesadilla]

Diamonds are Forever, on 30 July 2010 - 15:14, said:

I think he played under SS for a few games, certainly not very many though. He does have a good technical ability, or at least good relative to the ability of his team mates. I never said he could tackle or that he was commited, indeed I said you need to give him a role where he has to do neither. Black should either have created that role for him or not played him at all. Instead he did neither meaning that most of the time he was a waste of space. I'm not saying he'll be brilliant at Alloa, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's a success.

MacDonald played under SS for several games. Indeed he played in the same position in which he was employed under Kenny's tenure.
He does not have "good technical ability". He cannot trap or tackle. He has no strength on the ball. He can't beat a man. What does he have? The ability to occassionaly pick out a decent pass? On the occasions he did that he was roundly sarcasticaly "cheered" by the Airdrie fans.
Play him in a role where he doesn't need to tackle or look commited? Commitment to the cause is all that any fan asks for at this level. We know we're not going to be blessed by skillful players but commitment goes a long way. So you'd play him as a creative midfielder then???? The man that passes the ball forward one in every 25 times?
Black eventually found him out and dropped him, far, far, far too late. When he did come on as a sub, he was largely ineffectual.
You'll not lose any face in admitting you were wrong that he was our best player. It takes a big man to admit he was wrong.

[itzdrk]

let me put it into a short piece of perspective for you alloa fans

a scott walker error (which was particularly common) allowed alloa's geig spence to break free and score an equalizer late in a game at somerset which cost us the title that day

this type of mistake by him was VERY common throughout that season , and two years on i can only asume he is slower and just generally worse due to his age(the chances of him having improved are 0.01%)

[Waspie]

itzdrk, on 30 July 2010 - 17:35, said:

let me put it into a short piece of perspective for you alloa fans

a scott walker error (which was particularly common) allowed alloa's geig spence to break free and score an equalizer late in a game at somerset which cost us the title that day

this type of mistake by him was VERY common throughout that season , and two years on i can only asume he is slower and just generally worse due to his age(the chances of him having improved are 0.01%)

That doesnt put anything into perspective, all defenders make mistakes sometimes. What you see is what you get with Walker. He is big and strong and normally wins the physical battles. He is a good leader and organises those around him well. He isnt great with the ball at his feet but thats not what he is in the team for. I was bemused last summer when some fans suggested he would be past it or a year slower when he arrived at Alloa, he was never a player who relied on pace in the first place. He is probably amongst the fittest part-time players around. He is just as effective as he ever was and was an important player for us last season. I expect him to do well for us again this year.

[OldWasp]

itzdrk, on 30 July 2010 - 17:35, said:

a scott walker error (which was particularly common) allowed alloa's geig spence to break free and score an equalizer late in a game at somerset which cost us the title that day

this type of mistake by him was VERY common throughout that season , and two years on i can only asume he is slower and just generally worse due to his age(the chances of him having improved are 0.01%)

In his short SFL career, Greig Spence made a good few defenders looks stupid..

Scott Walker made very few mistakes last season - when he did it was usually when he was playing out of position (due to injuries).

As has been stated many times - Scott Walker is best when he does the simple old fashioned centre half tasks. High ball - head it away. Ball on deck - boot it away. Last season he was probably the best in the division - one of the reasons for our good defensive record - esp with the protection it afforded to David Crawford in goals - there may be better ones this coming season in the relegated and promoted sides - we will soon find out.

Overall, last season we had a squad that could have won the league. The players that have left have been replaced by ones that, on paper, are of at least an equivalent quality. The left back problem seems to have been fixed. Our two long term injuries (Dougie Wilson & Brown Ferguson) look to be coming back - so over all I think we have reason to be optimistic and look towards a play-off place.

[pencils]

Wouldn't it be magic if big Walker put in a Motm performance against Ayr and for Prunty to grab a couple a goals against them!


And for Airdrie fans being critical of McDonald, I'll reserve judgement on him for now. Could turn out to be similar to what Ayr fans are like now with Walker and Prunty. If he turns out to be any were as good as these two have been for us, then I'll be delighted.

[number one wasp]

pencils, on 30 July 2010 - 18:13, said:

Wouldn't it be magic if big Walker put in a Motm performance against Ayr and for Prunty to grab a couple a goals against them!


And for Airdrie fans being critical of McDonald, I'll reserve judgement on him for now. Could turn out to be similar to what Ayr fans are like now with Walker and Prunty. If he turns out to be any were as good as these two have been for us, then I'll be delighted.

Lets hope big Scott reads P&B then .

[Cliche Guevara]

Aw sorry for doubting you boys - I feel a bit silly now

[Kitty_Boy]

Cliche Guevara, on 14 May 2011 - 22:45, said:

Aw sorry for doubting you boys - I feel a bit silly now

Ha! Ha! Good on you big Cliche! got this wrong though...

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

Gibson is a class act, right enough.

pencils, on 28 July 2010 - 17:18, said:

Lastly, I believe we have the best manager in the league.

This post has been edited by Kitty_Boy: 14 May 2011 - 22:59

[Cliche Guevara]

Kitty_Boy, on 14 May 2011 - 22:58, said:

Ha! Ha! Good on you big Cliche! got this wrong though...

Cannae blame Billy for his Recked career!